Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar: RCB’s Record-Breaking Opening Duo
The opening partnership between Phil Salt and skipper Rajat Patidar has become the most productive in IPL 2026, recently powering RCB to a mammoth 240/4 against Mumbai Indians. Salt’s strike rate of 216 and Patidar’s ability to dismantle spin have made RCB the highest-scoring team this year. Our statistical analysis looks at their 120-run stands and how their \"intent-first\" approach is forcing opposing captains to rethink their powerplay bowling. We compare this duo to the legendary Gayle-Kohli era and discuss if they can break the all-time season record for opening runs.